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A suburban Houston public school district in Galveston County is in mourning on Wednesday after a worksite accident at its lone high school campus claimed one life on Tuesday.
Houston-based media outlets reported that a part of the roof at Friendswood High School collapsed, resulting in the sole fatality and injuries to three other people.
The Friendswood Independent School District (FISD) called on its community to “be in prayer.”
“We are heartbroken to announce that we have been informed by emergency personnel that there were three transported to local hospitals and there is one confirmed fatality from the partial collapse of the roof above the boys’ gym in the existing building within the current construction site at Friendswood High School,” FISD said in a statement it shared on Twitter. “We ask that you continue to pray for all involved.”
Per a report from Houston ABC affiliate KTRK, the incident happened close to 4:30 p.m.
District officials said that the high school will be closed to everyone “until further notice, adding no students or staff were on campus at the time of the collapse.
“Our prayers go out to the workers and their families during this difficult time,” FISD said in the statement.
KTRK reported on Wednesday the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office (GCMEO) identified the worker who perished as Moises Alejandro Morales, a 26-year-old Mexican national.
Morales purportedly died of blunt force trauma after being hit by debris, according to the station.
The Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department (FVFD) told KTRK the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident.
FISD, which is at least 25 miles south of Downtown Houston, serves the Galveston County portion of Friendswood, as well as a small part of Brazoria County, Houston Daily reported.
According to the district’s website, the publication reported, it educates approximately 6,065 students.